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Current defender Mace to play for U.S. Women’s team

U.S. Women’s National Team head coach Vlatko Andonovski has named Kansas City Current defender Hailie Mace to a 24-player BioSteel Training Camp Roster for two away friendly matches in October as the U.S. faces England on Friday, Oct. 7, at Wembley Stadium in London followed by a match against Spain on Tuesday, Oct. 11, at El Sadar Stadium in Pamplona.

Andonovski will name 23 players to suit up for each of the matches.

This is Mace’s second call to join the USWNT in the past two months. In two September friendlies, she played 20 minutes and 10 minutes as the U.S. defeated Nigeria 4-0 in Kansas City on Sep. 3 and 2-1 in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 6.

“These are big tests for our team in front of crowds cheering against us and after long travel, but our players absolutely love games like these,” Andonovski said. “The group we are bringing to Europe includes players who have a lot of experience against top European teams and some that don’t, so these games are even more critical for our growth as our team. Our whole squad needs to get a clear picture of what these games are like as we continue to prepare for the World Cup.”

The London match will be at 2 p.m. Oct. 7 and will be carried on Fox. The Pamplona match will be at 1:30 p.m. Oct. 11 and will be on ESPN2.

Information from KC Current

Enough is enough: Bad behavior by coaches, parents and fans must stop

Guest column
Opinion

by Dr. Karissa Niehoff, chief executive officer, National Federation of State High School Associations, and Bill Faflick, executive director of the Kansas State High School Activities Association

There’s an unfortunate trend continuing in Kansas and across the nation that must be stopped: the bad behavior of coaches, parents and fans at high school athletic events.

We’ve all seen it: the yelling, harassing, berating, disrespecting and even physically assaulting high school referees, umpires and other officials during and after games. And oftentimes, the harassment continues on social media. Perhaps you’ve witnessed it firsthand or even been one of those offenders yourself.

Not only is this behavior unacceptable and embarrassing, but it’s also having serious consequences on the future of high school sports.

That’s because another unfortunate trend is sweeping the nation: a critical shortage of high school officials in every state. The No. 1 reason? You guessed it: Coaches, parents and fans mistreating officials.

National surveys of officials report alarming statistics:1
55% of officials say verbal abuse from coaches, parents and fans is the No. 1 reason they quit.
59% don’t feel respected.
57% think sportsmanship is getting worse.
84% feel officials are treated unfairly by spectators.
46% have felt unsafe or feared for their safety due to spectator, coach, administrator or player behavior.

Officials are quitting faster than new ones are signing up. It’s a major area of concern for states like Kansas just to cover games. We’re already seeing middle school and JV games being cancelled and, in some cases, varsity games have to be rescheduled or not played. All because there aren’t enough officials.

Unfortunately, bad behavior at high school athletic events has become normalized. It is almost expected that coaches, parents and fans will disrespect the individuals serving as officials.

This culture of bad behavior and the negative perception of officials must change now. Everyone involved in high school sports—parents, coaches, administrators, fans, the media—must turn their focus to the student-athletes playing the games and away from the individuals officiating the contests.

The bottom line: With no high school officials, there can be no high school sports.

That’s why the KSHSAA is partnering with the NFHS and other state high school associations across the country to launch the nationwide #BenchBadBehavior campaign. We’ll use the power of social media along with other tools to help educate everyone about the importance of good behavior at high school athletic events.

You can help by being a positive role model at your high school’s athletic events. And if you think you have what it takes to be a licensed official, sign up today at HighSchoolOfficials.com and help fill an urgent need in Kansas.

Kansas City Current secures first playoff berth with 3-0 win

Midfielder Lo’eau LaBonta blasted a pass from Kate Del Fava into the goal for a 1-0 Kansas City lead. The Current won the match 3-0, locking in a spot in the upcoming NWSL playoffs. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

by Brian Turrel

The Kansas City Current locked down an NWSL playoff spot — the first in team history — with a 3-0 win over the Washington Spirit at Children’s Mercy Park Sunday afternoon. After early season disappointments left the team at the bottom of the standings, the Current still has the chance to finish on top.

Nearly ten thousand fans enjoyed the warm early fall weather and bright sunshine, and Lo’eau LaBonta, CeCe Kizer and Clair Lavogez each scored first-half goals to ensure the crowd enjoyed the outcome as well.

The Current pressed high in the early going and created some high-quality chances. CeCe Kizer was aggressive in taking on Spirit dribblers in their own end, and Claire Lavogez won possessions by anticipating and disrupting Washington’s passing lanes.

Kansas City had some great chances in the first few minutes, but was denied by three great saves from Washington goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury.

LaBonta finally got the home side on the board in the 18th minute on a full-field build-up. After the ball crossed the midway line, Alex Loera played it up the right side to Kate Del Fava who beat a challenge from defender Julia Roddar and then lofted a cross to Lo’eau LaBonta centered just outside the 18-yard box.

LaBonta took a touch to settle the ball and then turned on it, blasting it high into the right corner of the goal.

The Current continued the offensive pressure, but mis-timed two opportunities in quick succession, leading to apparent goals waved off for offsides.

Kizer earned the second goal for the Current in the 38th minute, picking up the rebound of a corner kick from Loera and knocking it in from the 6-yard line.

Claire Lavogez wrapped the scoring action just 3 minutes later, picking up Kristen Hamilton’s pass from the endline and tapping it past Kingsbury from close range.

The Spirit made substitutions through the second half and continued to press for a goal, holding possession for long stretches but unable to create dangerous chances against Kansas City’s defense.

The Current will play its final regular season match next Sunday against Louisville FC. Kansas City holds third place in the standings, but final playoff seeding and scheduling will depend on the next week’s outcomes. The top six teams make the playoffs, and the top four will play host to at least one playoff match.